U.S. Paper Mill Fiber Consumption Down 10.5% in 2009

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Total fiber consumption by U.S. paper mills (including wood pulp, recovered paper and non-wood fibers) declined 10.5% in 2009 to 80.0 million tons, reflecting the 10.2% reduction in paper and paperboard production, according to AF&PA's recently released Annual Fiber Consumption Report. Consumption of both recovered paper and wood pulp dropped at almost the same rate.

Total fiber consumption is estimated to increase at an average annual rate of 2.2% during the three-year period 2010-12 as the U.S. economy recovers from the recession. Wood pulp consumption is estimated by the Survey to increase from 50.6 million tons in 2009 to 53.3 million tons in 2012, an average annual rate of 1.7%. Recovered paper consumption is estimated to increase at an average annual rate of 3.1% during the same period.

The report provides consumption of wood pulp and recovered fiber in the manufacture of paper and paperboard in the U.S. for the period 2009-2012. It also provides data on consumption of pulpwood in the manufacture of wood pulp. All of these data are based on a comprehensive Survey of the paper, paperboard and pulp mills in the U.S. For additional information or questions, contact Sundar Mahadevan (202-463-2786).